By Cassie Kreider
The turkeys meant for Thanksgiving dinner are still merrily unaware of their fates when the first wave of Christmas everything arrives. Flyers featuring children with exaggerated glee clutching fairies and action figures fill the Sunday paper’s ad section. Commercials highlighting the need for a Barbie Dreamhouse play over and over again on the television. But is all this holiday cheer coming too soon for some people?
It is true that the holiday season starts fairly soon, what with retailers showcasing the toys they believe will be their bestsellers this year and consumers scrambling to get the best bang for their buck. But this year the Christmas Creep seems to have set in especially early and with a late thanksgiving and earlier hours for Back Friday shoppers.
An article written for the Daily Finance says that the explosion of Christmas ads may be due to the fact that there is no presidential election this year.
“The presidential election served as a bulwark of sorts, holding the public’s attention and making it more expensive for retailers to run television ads in October. This year, retailers have free rein to take over the airwaves in the fall.”
Kimberly McMullen, an art teacher at Penn Manor High School, said that she definitely thinks Christmas is advertised for too early, but she also understands why companies feel compelled to do so.
“This is the money making season for many big name companies, but buying from local artists or local business’ can help the economy, it helps everyone.”
McMullen believes that Christmas should, at the earliest, be advertised after Thanksgiving. She is bothered when she sees ads for the holiday season at the end of October.
She believes that today’s views of Christmas are, “totally skewed,” and considers the most important things about Christmas are, “family. Having everyone home for the holidays, and (partaking in) family traditions.”
“Yes. It (Christmas) isn’t about the stuff or getting the best deal and outdoing each other. No, it’s about loving and caring and showing compassion,” said Mrs. McMullen.
Senior Katie Myers showed obvious distaste at how early Christmas is advertised.
“It’s (the advertising) getting absurd. I mean kids are going to start wondering what Thanksgiving is…” Myers joked. “I think they shouldn’t advertise any earlier than the week before Thanksgiving; and all that should be advertised is Black Friday sales.
She went on to say that she personally loves ads for the holidays, and that she thinks herself a nerd because she loves getting the Sunday paper and looking through all the sales.